It must start in childhood – together to prevent accidents

When choosing a topic, the children will learn about the most important traffic rules, the violation of which can lead to an accident, during an overview of traffic situations. Schoolchildren can apply for the children’s drawing competition in two categories; Entries from students aged 7–11 and 12–15 are welcome. Although the most important goal of the competition is education, it is worth learning how to prevent accidents in childhood.

The railway company has been cooperating with the police for more than ten years, joint traffic safety checks are held at 60-70 locations annually. The two organizations have already addressed schoolchildren, before last year they targeted teenagers and young adults who are already traveling independently, who stray onto the tracks by bicycle or on foot. Since the start of the railway safety campaign launched in 2022, the railway has been operating its website, which presents deterrent accident scene photos, explanatory and basic information, as well as its own videos on the subject. Due to the extremely high number of accidents at railway crossings this year, train drivers sent an open letter to road users.

During this year’s campaign, attention-grabbing posters can be seen again near railway crossings. Messages and films on the topic of railway safety are also shown on trains. During the summer, the campaign is strengthened with educational, accident-preventing outings at the crossings near Lake Balaton and Lake Velence and in the Erzsébet camps, while the police conduct road inspections nearby.

The railway company tries to deliver its message to as many people as possible: by vehicle or on foot a matter of life and death compliance with the KRESZ rules may be required! If the equipment securing the railway crossing is not working, you must stop in front of the crossing and proceed only after you have made sure that no train is coming and that all the conditions for a safe crossing are met. This, as well as the prohibition sign of the light signaling device, also applies to pedestrians and cyclists, and even to vehicles using a distinctive sign. Talking on the phone while driving distracts the driver’s attention, the bright sun blinds him, and it is harder for him to notice the signal. But the sun shining on the beacon can also cause problems. If the driver of the road vehicle cannot make sure of the signal beyond any doubt, then it is worth slowing down and stopping before the railway crossing. Passengers may only stay in areas designated for passenger traffic, accidents that occur due to staying in prohibited places occur in railway operating areas. Every year, several people suffer serious burns when they illegally climb onto a train or an overhead line support pole in a railway area and are electrocuted. Unfortunately, taking a selfie on top of a train, which seems like an exciting activity, can lead to death, and young people are typically affected here.

It is therefore worthwhile to start raising awareness at an appropriate age, and this is also the purpose of the application.